'Twas joy to read, joy also when he made
Mirth with his sons, joy when he rose and prayed
In Ptah's great Temple; till one day, behold,
In Ptah's great Temple, through the colonnade,
A troop of damsels fair exceedingly,
And one who led them. Beautiful was she,
And not like other women; good beyond
All he had seen or ever thought to see.
Her girdle was of gold and gold her hood,
And all that touched her fragrant was and good,
And maids behind her fifty walked and two;
And, seeing, Setne wist not where he stood,
But called the Slave that served him: 'Haste thee, go
To where yon woman worships; I would know
What need hath brought her and what name she bears.
Go swiftly.' And the servant bowed him low,
And found a handmaiden who walked aside:
'Damsel, thy mistress cometh in much pride;
Say by what name men call her, and what need
Brings her to Memphis.' And the maid replied:
'This is the child of the Chief Vision Seer
Of Bast, Queen of the Far World and the Near;
Her name is Ta-Buvuë, and a vow
To Ptah, your mighty God, hath brought her here.'
The slave returned and told to Setne all
The handmaid spoke; and Setne said: 'Go, call
This handmaid secretly behind the rest;
Greet her from me and speak my name withal:
"Setne Khamuas, son of Rameses,
Greets thee: he sends ten gold Arsinoës;
And more, if any man hath done thee wrong,
Setne the judge will right thine injuries;
All this, if thou wilt speak with him an hour,
And help him. To a great and secret tower
Thou shalt go in, where none shall do thee hurt
Nor know thy name; so great is Setne's power."'
The slave returned and all of Setne's word
Told to the handmaid; and her wrath was stirred,
And loud she railed, as though 'twere blasphemies
His lips had spoke; and Ta-Buvuë heard,